Best connector to upgrade to?

[chunhuach]

I am new to RC. just bought Arrma Granite voltage, it comes with EC3 connectors (NiMI battery and charger).
My neighbor gave me 3 batteries, of different connectors.
just ordered tenergy TB6-B charger, which comes with several connectors.

I am determined to switch over to ONE type of connector (or use adapters to adapt to ONE type of connector).
I want something that is future proof (if I buy other RC cars, if if I use the charger for larger batteries).

Which one do you recommend? I am almost ready to change everything to Deans, but heard they it not be enough for larger battery capacities.

 

[SrC]

I guess by the batts there you have a Mega Granite. ( Nimpaks)
Deep Six the Deans no matter what. They suck. Come apart easily when crashing, Wear out fast, Sudden loss of RC control easily. I have melted one before years past. Old cheap tech, that is cheap for Mfrs to still use today. They are just knock offs anyway. Called simply T-Plugs. When the Deans patent expired. I gave up on Deans/ T-Plugs years ago.
Seems you are all in with the EC's there.
I woud use XT-90's for 3s and above voltage, up to 6s packs.
Make all the smaller packs XT60's at a minimum.
In theory, using XT 90's for all makes the most sense. Nothing wrong with that. You will need an adapter for that charger there. Never run adapters at the ESC side in the rig.
Plan on getting a much better charger at some point.
You can also just use all Horizon Hobby EC5's. They are equivelent to XT-90's. Seem to cost a bit more. And I feel they are much harder to solder up. Yet some will split hairs and say EC's are better.
You have alot of soldering ahead of you. And buying Connectors as well...
I use all XT60 and XT90.

 

[LibertyMKiii]

You will really want to make the jump over to LiPo batteries at some point. They can charge considerably faster, run longer, and output way more power.
With that said you might want to shop for LiPos and see what your favorite brand offers or comes with.

You will need a charger that is capable of charging LiPos too.

In general, all the connectors are fine except for Deans.
xt90 was always a solid option for smaller rigs up to 6s. ec5 might be ideal incase you ever want to upgrade to a 6s Arrma later on.

 

[CrashBoom]

Adapters are ok for charging but not so much running. There is a lot to unpack with "future proof", but may want to go with EC5 connectors in case you get into something with higher current draws.

 

[ross_jsy]

I use XT90s but have been putting EC5s on my mates batteries and rig who has just got into the hobby. I find them easier to solder and they stay together better than the XT90s.

 

[chunhuach]

wow I am glad I asked! I just placed order for the charger 1 hour ago I can still cancel it.
The TB6-B charger can charge NiMH and LiPO, I thought it's a good option, it got very good reviews.
If you think I need to upgrade in the future, I might as well just buy a better one. which one do you recommend?

 

[Warby]

+1 for XT90

 

[Greengaunja]

wow I am glad I asked! I just placed order for the charger 1 hour ago I can still cancel it.
The TB6-B charger can charge NiMH and LiPO, I thought it's a good option, it got very good reviews.
If you think I need to upgrade in the future, I might as well just buy a better one. which one do you recommend?

You want a good balance charger, preferably with a display. And get a dual or quad charger if you think your going to run your rigs alot. Save time. Whatever you need to know can be found here, as this Forum has alot of longtime hobbyists. Lord knows I'd be lost without them!
Ps. Give this a read so you know what you need to ask and have clarified!
https://www.rogershobbycenter.com/lipoguide

 

[SrC]

wow I am glad I asked! I just placed order for the charger 1 hour ago I can still cancel it.
The TB6-B charger can charge NiMH and LiPO, I thought it's a good option, it got very good reviews.
If you think I need to upgrade in the future, I might as well just buy a better one. which one do you recommend?

99% of Lipo chargers will charge Nims, Eneloop, LiOn and even a 12v LA car battery.

 

[SrC]

wow I am glad I asked! I just placed order for the charger 1 hour ago I can still cancel it.
The TB6-B charger can charge NiMH and LiPO, I thought it's a good option, it got very good reviews.
If you think I need to upgrade in the future, I might as well just buy a better one. which one do you recommend?

Any ISDT charger that can charge with 200Watts per channel is one option. You have to choose a Single or Dual channel. (Prices increase) But you can charge 2 lipos in the space of one. A time saver. Like having 2 separate chargers. Something to consider. A future proof consideration. Any decent charger will cost from $100- $150. There are so many in this range. Stay away from the 2-line display ones, especailly the $40. chargers. Lipos are expensive and delicate. Don't cheap out on a charger. A lot to research in regards before you compare them and buy. If new to this. Buy cheap, buy twice IMHO, with Chargers. A charger is in control of a Lipo when charging. Best to use a good one.

 

[RCbuzz]

XT90 (really like these) and EC5 (Everything I get has these!).

Still use Deans for the light duty stuff.

 

[LibertyMKiii]

wow I am glad I asked! I just placed order for the charger 1 hour ago I can still cancel it.
The TB6-B charger can charge NiMH and LiPO, I thought it's a good option, it got very good reviews.
If you think I need to upgrade in the future, I might as well just buy a better one. which one do you recommend?

When shopping for a charger focus on 2 specs.
Wattage per channel
And make sure it supports AC charging unless you think you will always charge off your 1:1s 12v battery

iSDT is top tier quality for a pretty reasonable price. This one isn't crazy wattage but will support you in the hobby for a good while.
ISDT K2 AIR Lipo Battery Balance Charger Discharger 1-6S AC 200W DC 500Wx2 20A Smart Charger for Life, Lilon, LiPo, LiHv/Pb/NiMH Battery Balance Charger https://a.co/d/9BCSjf8

If the budget allows chargers get better/nicer around $200+ range

 

[Greengaunja]

Also note that some chargers are cell limited. My SkyRC single charger is only capable of 1-4S lipos(plus NiHMs etc) whereas my HTRC dual charger($120,Amazon) does everything available(so far) up to 6S..

When I started three years ago, I had xt60s but switched to EC5s and now Im considering switching all to QS8. This one is the latest connector and features an anti spark. It's overkill (and pricey)for 2s and 3s but I like the simplicity of just having them all the same.

 

[SrC]

XT90 (really like these) and EC5 (Everything I get has these!).

Still use Deans for the light duty stuff.

Even with my slow moving low amp draw brushed Crawlers, I switched over to XT-60's. Much better. The T-Plugs are really bad IMHO. Having used them since Deans released them many years ago. They were better back then. And probably the best out there at the time. The Deans patent expired some years ago and China/Taiwan was making knock off variants that truly suck, by comparison to the OE Deans "Ultra plugs". Deans plugs were a thing from the Nim/ Nicad days, for 7.2v-8.4v packs and Brushed motor setups.
With the advent of large high amp Lipos, not great at all. Whether legit Deans or not. More of a liability.
No OE Mfr is using legit Deans Ultra plugs. Just generics. And are made very poorly. Inexpensive to source for any OE Mfr.
Toss them.
Go with XT60 or IC3's. for 2s Lipos.
For 3s- 6s, I just use XT90's.
Use QS8's for 8s.

 

[SrC]

When shopping for a charger focus on 2 specs.
Wattage per channel
And make sure it supports AC charging unless you think you will always charge off your 1:1s 12v battery

iSDT is top tier quality for a pretty reasonable price. This one isn't crazy wattage but will support you in the hobby for a good while.
ISDT K2 AIR Lipo Battery Balance Charger Discharger 1-6S AC 200W DC 500Wx2 20A Smart Charger for Life, Lilon, LiPo, LiHv/Pb/NiMH Battery Balance Charger https://a.co/d/9BCSjf8

If the budget allows chargers get better/nicer around $200+ range

Yeah my ISDT K2 Air rocks. And I use a PSU with it. I can charge 2 6s 6k Mah bricks together within 30 min. (with Lipo's already in a Storage charged state.)
ISDT is a solid charger company. They don't play around. They do their own R and D. Not a Rebrand company like some others.
And there are other good brands out there.